Annual Christmas date in Ayala’s Festival of Lights

First of all, Merry Christmas!!! Even though I still can’t believe that it is really Christmas already. It felt like December 2015 was just last month. Speaking of December, Paul and I always try to go to one of the famous Christmas getaway in the metro – Ayala Lights in Ayala Triangle Garden, Makati. And this year is our third year going together.

What is Festival of Lights?

Festival of Lights is the signature lights and sound show in the Ayala Triangle Garden that brings holiday cheer to thousands of Filipinos every yuletide season. “For the past six years, Makati has captivated people with its spectacular lights and sounds show, the only one of its kind in the Philippines. The Festival of Lights has made it to the coveted list of Conde Nast Traveller’s Seven Most Spectacular Lights in the World”, according to Ayalaland’s website.

We arrived around 7:30 pm and the place is already overcrowded. We decided to sit and just watch the first set of the show, be amazed and danced with the lights, be in the moment and feel the Christmas spirit. In the second set, my blogger instinct is out and loud. We took tons of photos until the fourth set I think.

For those who are Ayala lights virgins, there are only two situations in the garden – darkness and the show. So if there are no lights & sound shows ongoing, the lights are out so photo opportunities can only be done during the show. The Festival of light runs daily, every 30 minutes, from 6 pm to 10 pm. It has 5 minute darkness buffer time between shows too.

As the Christmas songs fill the air, the string lights on the trees and the new field lights start to dance with the music and play with the sound. There will be a change of colors with the change of sound and rhythm. This is actually the view I needed for I’m feeling like a Grinch this year. Despite the sea of people, the place is beautiful and festive. I’m not really good in descriptions so maybe we can just let the photos talk?

Inlove with this color combination

These are new lights for this year.

Yep, just a fraction of the crowd.

Long exposure shot with boyfriend as a tripod.

Just me being cheesy.. (You can skip this if you want)

Festival of Lights has been our annual December date and we’re already on Year 3. Through the years, this date has also been our way to realize and reflect on how our relationship grew in the span of one year. I can remember the first time Paul brought me here. We we’re just dating back then and I’m so afraid to fall and risk my heart all over again. Then last year, I wrote how I already risked it and I’ve never been happier for I learned to choose myself instead of other people’s opinions.

And this year, we are happier and stronger than our 2015-selves. We are already inside each other’s world. He knows my passion and flaws. I know his struggles and dreams. And we’re trying to build an empire together clueless but hopeful. I really can’t wait to see our 2017-selves here next year. (and also on all the years that follow)

How to go to Ayala Triangle Garden:

via driving: Waze it! haha! Makati roads are confusing. But you can take EDSA then turn left on Ayala road.via commute: You can ride a bus from EDSA, Monumento or Fairview with a signboard “Ayala-LRT Leveriza”. Go down at the Philippines Stock Exchange then walk your way to Ayala Triangle. Another way is from Ayala MRT Station southbound, walk your way to Shell station and ride a jeepney with the signboard “Ayala-Washington”. Ask the jeepney driver to unload you to the unloading zone for Ayala Triangle.

TIPS

If you have a car and planning to go after 6 pm, I advise you to park somewhere else since the queue to the parking lot for Ayala Triangle is long and may take forever.

You will never get a photo without photo bombers so yeah just accept with it.

If you have a tripod and felt like bringing it, GO! I planned to bring mine but got shy so I left it at home. It turns out a lot of people here have a tripod, others have the tall one’s pa. We end up asking people for couple photos tuloy.

If you have been here last year or the past years, it’s still good to go because they changed the theme, designs and show every year. This year’s show is so much different from the last 2 years I saw.

Take care of your belongings. It is an open park and there are dark moments so you’ll never know.

Try to go here on the weekends of the Gourmand Market. They offer a lot of foods and street foods that are affordable.

It is still not late to drop by the Festival of Lights at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. It runs daily, every 30 minutes from 6 PM to 10 PM, from November 15 to January 8, 2017.

Been planning to visit this place but #North people problems. Hahaha lol. And also, we barely have the time whenever Josh visits for a weekend. But hopefully, we’ll catch this next year. Happy holidays, Bea! <3

More vlogs please! You two looks so cute! Namiss ko tuloy yung bf/gf moments namin ng hubby ko, hehe..nice ng video 🙂 We haven’t been to Ayala’s Festival of Lights, maybe soon when we stayed in Pinas na, thanks for this, now i know what to expect and for the tips 🙂

Every year I keep meaning to visit this with my family. I live all the way on the other side of the metro though. Just thinking of having to brave the traffic defeats me. I love Christmas lights though. I hope I really get to see it next Christmas!

Me too! I live all the way North and I really don’t like going to Makati. But this one is an exception. It’s okay for me to brave the traffic even once in the year. You should go next year! Maybe I’ll see you there.

Your post brought me nostalgia to my first formal date with Lloyd which was back in 2011. We were college students back then so the Ayala triangle lights felt magical then we are dinner at Omakase. Now, it’s also our annual tradition too. Hoping that we don’t break it this year as the light show improves every year.